Sure there's a lot of salt and overreaction and I won't be unsubbing anytime soon, but the decision is baffling.

Male Viera was a chance to get a little creative, add something new to the game and definitely fan requested. Then they'd have had Hrothgar or Ronso (both genders) as something to keep in the bag for the expansion after. Less salt, most players happy. I can't see what they gain from this. I've never seen a "please add male Hrothgar" request in the forums or ingame in... well, forever. What's the benefit of the genderlock?